The Hermitage at the foot of the mountains 1695

Shitao created "The Hermitage at the Foot of the Mountains" using ink on paper. Shitao lived during the tumultuous transition from the Ming to the Qing dynasty, a time of immense social and political upheaval in China. As a member of the Ming royal family, Shitao had a particularly complex relationship with the new Qing rulers, who were of Manchu origin, a group often seen as outsiders. In this context, landscapes became a coded language of resistance and resilience. Shitao’s choice to depict a hermitage, a place of retreat and contemplation, carries a subtle message. It speaks to a desire to maintain cultural and personal integrity amidst political change, a means of preserving Ming identity while outwardly adapting to Qing rule. The solitary figure gazing out from the hermitage suggests a deep connection to the land and the past, offering a sense of quiet defiance. It’s a personal and powerful statement about identity, history, and the enduring spirit of a people.